Overview & Reviews

It's no exaggeration to say that the BMW 5 Series sets the standard for premium sport sedans. Introduced for the 1972 model year, the midsize 5 Series has long offered a near-perfect blend of performance, luxury and interior room. It's also highly regarded for its refined styling and innovative technology features.

Most BMW 5 Series models you'll come across will be rear-wheel-drive sedans, though you'll stumble upon the occasional 5 Series wagon on the used car market. In addition, all-wheel drive has been optional for some time, and many used sedans in colder climes will be so equipped. Traditionally, the 5 Series has featured an inline six-cylinder gasoline engine, but BMW has also offered V8 engines, turbocharged four-cylinders and even diesel-powered options. When people ask us to recommend luxury cars, the BMW 5 Series is invariably high on the list, new or used.

User Reviews:

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  Solid and Nimble - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By davethewave - June 12 - 3:11 pm

  Very good build quality and performance. 93K and still no rattles, but rotors and heater are sounding worn out. Had computer chip go out under warranty, so reliability is not as good as expected for car at this price level. Dealer service was inconvenient. I have no regrets, but I would probably not buy another one new - mainly because I live too far from a dealer, and I dont like the new 5-series styling and high price.

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  530xi review - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By Deke - June 4 - 9:08 pm

  This car is the best performing automobile that Ive ever owned. With that being said, it is the worst car ergonomically that Ive ever seen. The iDrive system is a total disaster. Just trying to change the heat/AC is actually dangerous when driving because you must use the isDrive to do it! Almost all setting on this car must be changed through the iDrive which is very finicky.

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  540i 6-speed - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By pdxzen - June 4 - 4:26 pm

  The 540i is a fine & fun car. The acceleration is better then most cars on the road with the HP and good torque. Mine is black, w/ black leather interior, and chrome 18in Hamann deep dish rims, w/ 40 series tires, lowered about 1.5 inches, w/ angel eyes conversion, cone air intake, & custom exhaust. It looks pretty good for a 10 year old car. It handles well in corners, but you can tell that it is a little bit nose heavy due to the V-8 in the front as you can break the rear loose when coming around a corner.

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  1st time BMW owner-bad experience - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By Jeniffer - May 25 - 4:59 pm

  My husband bought this car for my 40th birthday, this was a bad gift. Ive had my car in the shop 23 times, multiple times for brakes and wheels/tires. The car has been in the shop 5 times in the last two and half months. I will never buy another BMW. I want to be able to get in my car and drive without wondering if my caliper will fall off.

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  Beautiful and classy, but temperamental - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By Zack - May 14 - 4:24 pm

  This is a car that is rewarding to drive and own, but it wont be cheap. My sport package 5-speed 2.8 I6 is a beautiful, well-handling, sporty and overall solid machine. I love it, but when something breaks, it is expensive to fix. Very expensive. Potential owners: be wary of the cooling system around 90k+ miles. Replace it before it goes. It will go bad and thats bad times.

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  MPG - 2000 BMW 5-Series
  By Jan - April 30 - 6:39 pm

  Awful cup holders with AC blowing on them. Mine has 94,000 and just performs more gracefully with age. Recommend you absolutely find a local garage that you trust and you will save at least half of dealer repairs. My MPG indicates 5.9 miles per gallon (not, not on liter scale). But I seem to be getting about 16 MPG, which is not great. For first time this week, I used 89 instead of 91 at the pump and car is running beautifully.

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  Electronic Problems - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By seabreez - April 24 - 11:07 am

  We picked up A CPO 530i just off of lease. Records were clean & initially car lived up to the BMW standards. 3 months in the electrical system started going haywire (sensors) & has been a pain ever since. It has gotten to the point I contacted the CEO of BMWAG in Germany. Very disappointed they threw it back on dealer. It is the mfg. fault, not the dealer. At present working with dealer to roll out into another. Dealer is being very helpful & I hope for a resolution soon. Other than this the car is what you expect from a BMW.

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  This is a disappointment - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By Ken - April 17 - 4:25 pm

  Owned many BMW products. All great cars except for this one. Car had repeated problems with navigation screen. I was on my third screen. The computer also reported many false positive problems that would mysteriously disappear and reappear. Great car to drive. Great performance. Actually good gas mileage for high-performance 8-cylinder. Unfortunately, I spent more time with my service manager than my family. I traded the car in yesterday. Took a bath on the trade. But was worth it. Ouch. Good riddance.

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  Fun to drive - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By me - April 14 - 3:40 am

  Just got the 535i with premium, sport, premium audio, hd radio, ipod, satellite. The car is really fun to drive, the handling is incredible. I like the iDrive, it adds a little mystery and class to the car. But I received the car with a non function sos system. I have to return to dealer and have it fixed. I hope this the only thing that goes wrong

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  Good commuter so far - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By Eric - March 6 - 8:16 pm

  Ive always liked this body style- more so than the new 5 series. I found this grey one in fine shape at 88K miles. It handles very nicely and is so sneaky quiet Ive got to be careful not to speed too much. I got 29.5 mpg going to Florida over holidays and was so shocked I checked it again for 2 more tanks of gas. Same, over 29 mpg each time. Wow. Ive had to replace 2 power steering hoses and oil filter manifold gasket for $800. All else is good so far at 91,000 miles. Car alarm goes off sometimes needlessly which is annoying. Id like to to disable it. Motor on.